A decade ago, concern spread here and abroad that Ecuador would begin oil operations in a concession area partly underlying Yasuní National Park, a Unesco biosphere reserve considered among the most biodiverse places on earth. So President Rafael Correa in 2007 issued a challenge: if the international community gave Ecuador US$3.6 billion—half the value, he said, of the reserves—the rainforest concession area in northeast Ecuador would be declared off limits to oil development. Correa eventually withdrew his offer. He reported in 2013 that pledges of only US$13 million had materialized. Saying “the world has failed us,” he announced oil production would be allowed. Now, oil extraction is indeed slated to begin in the concession area, half of which overlaps with a... [Log in to read more]